According to the publication, it's expected the other weekday will be filled by Weekend Today presenter Deb Knight.

Gardner left her Today newsreading post in 2014 after seven years, citing family reasons.

"I make this announcement with a very heavy heart ­because you are my family," she said at the time.

"They are tough hours, but also, as we all know, it is the most extraordinary privilege to work on what is a television institution."

Given that, it's understood Gardner was initially reluctant to return to the show, but it's been reported Nine CEO Hugh Marks and news chief Darren Wick have worked tirelessly to convince her it's the right move.

"They were keen to make it work for Georgie because she really is the best person for that role," a Nine source told Fairfax.

"She's f**king tough, let me tell you; she doesn't take s**t from anyone. More importantly, she's been a journo for years. She has a strong news background and she's more than capable of doing political interviews as well as the banter."